10 former band members remain charged in FAMU case

ORLANDO - Ten former band members remain charged in the hazing death of a Florida A&M drum major after a new defendant was added by prosecutors late last month.

Jarrod Deas is now charged with manslaughter and felony hazing in the November 2011 death of Robert Champion. He was previously charged only with misdemeanor hazing in a separate case involving another FAMU band member. Those cases have now been consolidated.

Deas and the other nine remaining defendants in Champion's death are set to have a status hearing on their cases next week.

Five other former band members have taken plea agreements and already have been sentenced to probation and community service for what prosecutors considered to be minimal roles in Champion's hazing.